Reminding Myself of What I Love

As you might have noticed, I’ve published quite a lot of guest posts lately — partly because I wanted time for other work. But from now on you can expect more posts written by me.

After a month in Linköping I found myself missing the sea, and since my grandma’s summer cottage in Frösakull stood empty, I returned to Halmstad August 31st. Yes, it is a summer cottage but you can live here pretty much all year — even though most people owning cottages in this area only stay during May, June, July, August and September. I like it here though; it’s very cozy — especially rainy days like today. And with only a few minutes bike ride to the sea, 1,5km to Tylösand, and 10km to the center of Halmstad, I live near both nature and city life.

Today, as a way to to stay away from my old destructivehabits, I wanted to remind myself of the things I love. What’s so great, I can do most of these things regardless of where I am in the world.

Note: Since I love loads of things, this list will be updated from time to time.

Yoga

My yoga mat (pictured above) follows me wherever I travel. I started doing yoga at age 14, in 8th grade, and now it feels as natural as brushing my teeth in the morning. I usually do my hatha yoga 5-7 times a week for about 1-2 hours. A great start to the day — no matter what time I wake up — and I wouldn’t want to live without it!

Reading

I love reading. E-books. Blogs. Magazines. Non-fiction. Fiction. I recently finished Alexandra Pascalidou’s Taxi (highly recommended) and a chick-lit novel by a young British author. Am currently reading The Lollipop Shoes, Joanne Harris’ sequel to Chocolat.

Writing

I just have to let out the words in my mind. Starting doesn’t always come easy, whether it’s a blog post or an article, but feels great once I’ve finished.

Music

Music makes everything easier. I need music. Soul. R&B. Hip hop. Reggae. Metal. Rock. Pop. Indie. Jazz. House. Alternative. Acoustic. Folk. Classical. Music that makes me happy. Music that touches my heart. I love when I come across such a great song that I can’t help but stop whatever I’m doing, close my eyes, and just listen.

Film/Movies

I love how a movie let you escape reality and enter another world where you don’t need to think about anything else than the characters in the story and what will happen to them. If I don’t watch at least one film a week, a dvd, online, or in the cinema, I feel as if something is missing in my life.

Water

I love living near water, the sea, lakes, rivers, drinking water, hot showers, cold showers, pools, swimming… I took the picture above just after an evening swim in Frösakull two days ago.

Walking

Without a doubt, the best way to get around and experience a new place.

Cycling

Not competing in cycling, just cycling — for exercise and fun. I prefer cycling in cities rather than taking public transport.

Jogging/Running

If I don’t run at least two times a week I feel restless and can’t sit still. No matter where I am, I keep running.

Dancing

I’m not the best dancer, but I love dancing — and that’s what matters.

Food

I remember one evening spent at a restaurant in the Austrian ski resort Dienten with family and friends as a kid. A friend of my parents actually laughed at me at the end of the evening because I had eaten so much. (A starter, one warm course, dessert, salad, bread, cheese, and if I’m not mistaken I even tasted the food from my neighbour’s plate.) Far more than what a 10-year-old girl usually eats. But let me tell you, the chef certainly knew what he was doing.

I love discovering new food. Last month I tasted sea weed salad (pictured above), sushi with mango (delicious!), ‘healthy’ pizza with carrots, cauliflower and broccoli, dinkel focaccia with sweet potatoes, vegetarian moussaka, the best garlic bread I’ve ever eaten, probably thanks to the herb mix and sea salt sprinkled on top of it, chocolate with liquorice, Indian vegetable mix, and tiramisu (I knew that wasn’t vegan but wanted to have tried it at least once in my life). As I wrote in Karma When Traveling, I can’t promise I will be 100% vegan at all times, but it’s my intention to only eat vegan.

Museums, Art Galleries, Exhibitions

As a kid I loved museums and during modern art class in high school I fell in love with art. I like visiting small, personal art galleries where you can speak with the artists themselves.

Driving

I haven’t driven properly since 2006 and miss it incredibly much.

Possibly related posts:

1. A New Year, New Resolutions
2. Music Overdose
3. Leos Love to Travel
4. Try New Sports When Traveling
5. Love Snow, Love Balls, Love Winter!